Gear
Top Stoves and Filters: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey
We surveyed 365 section or thru-hikers about their stove, food, and water preferences and their experience of illnesses on the Appalachian Trail in 2019. We found some interesting differences in
Top Backpacks: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey
In this installment of The Trek’s 2019 Hiker Survey, we cover backpacks and base weight. We asked hikers about the frame type, capacity, brand, and model of their backpacks. This...
How to Pack a Backpack for Thru-Hiking
So you’ve got all this gear ready to go… but now what? While out backpacking, everything that you need is carried on your back, in this pack. You’ll pack and...
Introducing the 2020 Badger Sponsorship Winners
This year, The Trek is revamping the Badger Sponsorship to support eight 2020 thru-hikers with altruistic intentions. We searched for aspiring PCT, AT, CDT, or other long trail hikers who...
Top Sleeping Bags and Pads: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey
In 2019, we surveyed 365 section and thru-hikers who were on the Appalachian Trail (AT) . We asked these hikers about the sleeping bags they used, as well as quilts...
2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey: Top Tents and Shelters
Each year, The Trek surveys long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) regarding the shelter systems they use, such as tents and hammocks. In this post we cover the types...
Announcing the 2020 Badger Sponsorship
Calling all 2020 thru-hikers. The Trek wants to sponsor you! Each year, we get in the holiday spirit by lavishing a handful of soon-to-be thru-hikers with some best gear, food,...
The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2019 AT Thru-Hiker Survey
Each year as part of The Trek’s annual thru-hiker survey, we ask hikers about the footwear they used, and this footwear data remains my favorite to analyze and write about!...
Manhattan’s Before-and-After AT Gear: Day 1 Vs. 149
On my 2019 Appalachian thru-hike, I had a mix of thrifted, hand-me-down, and new (mid-range) gear. The choices were dependent on size, style, and whether or not I was willing...
Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Trends: Examining Gear, Budget, and Resources Over the Past 5 Years
In 2014, we began conducting annual surveys about AT thru-hikers and attempting thru-hikers. Starting these surveys soon after my own thru-hike has been a really meaningful way for me to...